I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
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"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07

CinderDee wrote:Joyce, do you want me to send you some of Zuzu's food for him to try? It's like doggie crack.

What is the food, Dee? I have literally tried every brand; dry and canned, vet prescribed, homemade and even some raw. He just doesn't want to eat. But today was a good day, so I am praying it now continues to spiral UPWARD.

The good news is that we are still convinced it is gastritis. There is a name for the type, but I forgot it.

Sonogram, along with xrays, showed a mild thickening of stomach wall. No masses or suspicious spots. Blood was fine, except a tiny bit elevated WBC. It could be because he isn't feeling well.

Since we are guessing he is 10 (I adopted him, at maybe a yr old) his insides look rather good.

My philosophy has always been for quality of life for my dogs. Harley is barking, jumping, playing, going for walks again with me, drinking water, peeing and pooping and just living a normal life, except for this food/stomach thing. We have gotten it under control with meds. to my satisfaction.

I am not getting him scoped. If the stomach lining showed anything with the cells changing for the worse, I would not do chemo/cancer drugs/radiation, or whatever the protocol would be. So, it really doesn't matter to me what it is, other than his symptoms are under control and he is happy-go-lucky living his life.

Thank you again for all your ideas and insights. As you all know, when faced with any type of situation with our dogs (or ourselves), we do what we feel most comfortable with. Since my Vet agrees medically with me right now, Harley will live his life out on these meds and continue to live the most active life I can give him.

So happy to hear he's feeling better and they don't think it is anything major - as if not eating weren't major enough - but you know what I mean - not a major illness.

I've never dealt with a picky eater, every dog we ever had would eat anything you gave them - and a bunch of stuff you didn't.

Have they considered the possibility of a food allergy since this has gone on for years? Maybe a dog food ingredient is causing the problem? One of my coworkers has severe allergies to wheat and corn and they presented with major gastro issues.

hugapitbull wrote:Have they considered the possibility of a food allergy since this has gone on for years? Maybe a dog food ingredient is causing the problem? One of my coworkers has severe allergies to wheat and corn and they presented with major gastro issues.

I have thought of that, and tried all dry/canned food with no repeat success with him eating the next meal. When he was refusing CHICKEN and STEAK, I sort of discontinued the food allergy idea.

amazincc wrote:You know I COMPLETELY agree w/you on the "quality of life" issue, and if Harleybird is happy I'm happy!

Thanks. It isn't easy sticking to my convictions sometimes, but truly, "it is what it is" going on inside him.